Bathing water profile - Longniddry

Last reviewed: 14 May 2025

Bathing water classification and sample results

Bathing water description

The Longniddry bathing water is on the edge of the town of Longniddry in East Lothian. It is approximately 1 km long and includes areas of sand and rocks. The western edge of the bathing water joins a second bathing water, Seton Sands. The beach is prized by windsurfers. Depending on the tide, the distance to the water’s edge can vary from 20–330 metres.

Site details:

Local authority: East Lothian Council
Year of designation: 2006
Water sampling location: NT 43619 77170

Risks to water quality

This bathing water is at risk of short term pollution following heavy rainfall. Bathing is not advised during or 1-2 days after heavy rainfall due to the risk to bathers’ health from water pollution.

Pollution risks include sewer overflows.

Catchment description

The Longniddry bathing water catchment extends to 11.5 km2. The area is mainly rural (90%) with agriculture the major land use. Approximately 9% of the catchment is urban. The main population centre is the town of Longniddry. Population density outside of the town is low.

There are no main rivers in the catchment. There are several small burns that flow into the bathing water itself. Gosford Burn enters the sea approximately 1.8 km to the north.

The Firth of Forth is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site and contains Special Protection Areas (SPA). The Lothian and Borders catchment area is a surface water Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

View this Bathing Water on our interactive Map Service

Improving bathing water quality

Sewage

Scottish Water provides most waste water collection and treatment services in Scotland.

Sewage from Longniddry is treated at Edinburgh sewage treatment works and is then discharged to the Firth of Forth via a long sea outfall to the North of the works.
There is a combined sewer overflow (CSO) to the north of the bathing water. This may discharge and impact the bathing water during heavy rainfall.

Agriculture

There are no impacts from agriculture affecting this bathing water.

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), algae and jellyfish

Marine waters are not at risk of cyanobacteria overproduction. This bathing water is not at risk of excessive growth of macroalgae (seaweed) or phytoplankton.

The possibility of increased jellyfish numbers in the water during summer months is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Most species common to the UK are harmless; the Marine Conservation Society advises to ‘look but don’t touch’.

Pollution incidents

Pollution can be reported via our website online form or by calling our 24 hours a day Pollution Hotline number 0800 80 70 60

If pollution is reported to us, or identified by our routine water quality monitoring program, we will investigate and where necessary work with others to remediate. We may contact other relevant organisations including the local authority, that local health board, Scottish Water and Scottish Ministers.

If there is a risk to human health the local authority is responsible for placing signs at the bathing water. Information will also be available on our website.

Everyone can help to keep the bathing water clean:

If you visit the beach with your dog clear up any fouling
Don’t leave litter or feed birds - this encourages unnatural behaviour, and they can pollute the water
At home, don’t flush wipes or other inappropriate items as these can block pipes and cause sewage spills